SEA leaders urge defeat of state contract

Leaders of the State Employees Association are urging their members to reject the contract negotiated with state officials last week. James Pindell has reaction at NH Political Report.

"After serving in Iraq, in the fight against terrorism, I didn't appreciate coming back and being terrorized by the Governor and the Legislature," said Chapter 22 President Bruce Vanlandingham.

In the Union Leader, Mark Hayward reports that the bargaining unit is more concerned with the furloughs for 10,000 state workers than with the 750 possible layoffs if no deal is reached.

"It's not a good contract. It's not a good deal for the employees," Barwell said, minutes after 162 members of the bargaining senate voted last night. He said the voice vote was overwhelming, but not unanimous.

Barwell said the contract will be mailed on Thursday to members, and they can begin discussing it.

Diana Lacey, the head of the bargaining team, said the cuts do not provide enough job security for state workers and affect all public services provided by the state.

In the Concord Monitor, Shira Schoenberg gets reaction to the recommendation from the Governor's Office.

Colin Manning, spokesman for Lynch, said he still hoped union members would ratify the agreement.

"We continue to believe that it's important that state employees be allowed to vote on a contract that could save hundreds of jobs," Manning said.

"It is our hope that they approve this contract and that we can implement a well-structured furlough program and avoid laying off hundreds of state employees."

If the full union membership rejects the agreement, both sides could return to the bargaining table, or Governor Lynch could begin making layoffs to reach the $25 million in savings mandated by the state budget.

Grant Bosse on WGIR Political Roundtable

NH Watchdog's Grant Bosse joins Charlie Sherman on WGIR's Political Roundtable this morning from 8-9am. You can listen live at AM 610, or at the link above.

Other guests will be NH Political Report's James Pindell and former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand.

Senate GOP: Senate Democrats Stunt Charter School Growth

James Pindell at NH Political Report has a post detailing Republican efforts to save charter schools on the floor of the State Senate:

"The cap will have the effect of turning our backs on kids that stand to benefit most from this type of education. This will devastate the kids and their families and tarnish New Hampshire's reputation as being innovative and creative in educating our children," said Senator Carson (R-Londonderry).

Free registration required to read the post. You can also sign up for updates on breaking news, which were very useful during yesterday's hectic session.

James Pindell bats .500

In his latest New Hampshire Magazine column, political reporter James Pindell reflects on the unique nature of New Hampshire's 400-member House. Any Representative can introduce legisaltion, and each bill requires a public hearing in Committee and a vote on the House floor.

Here are two ideas that would change the Statehouse for the better.

Give more power to leadership. State law says that every bill, like the one of fences, gets a public hearing and a vote in committee. We should give chairman the ability to not bring up bills that are obviously non-starters.

Shorten sessions. The Legislature meets for six months every year and members get paid just $100 for their service. Historically, sessions lasted just a few months each year and it was a true citizen legislature. Now it is more of a “leisure legislature,” i.e. members are not like you and me. They are generally college students, retired or independently wealthy with time on their hands. Long sessions only mean big decisions get delayed, legislation isn’t focused and true leaders and talent are left on the sidelines — or leave after a term or two.

The first idea is horrible. The fact that leadership can't throw a bill "in a drawer" like they do in Washington is a good thing, and gives each and every member of the House real indepedance. We should not surrender that distinction, and allow the very few weilding gavels in Concord to set the Legislature agenda. Our 400 State Representatives introduces over 1,000 bills a year, and that number should probably be lower. But the way to reduce bad legslation is to vote for other people.

The second idea has great merit. New Hampshire used to do just fine with the Legislature meeting once every two years, and coming back into session only if necessary. And even the House breaks for the summer, the State House is still humming with activity, and study committees and other legislatively-created busywork fill the halls. Shortening the Session in the second year, or returning to Biennial Sessions, would force House and Senate leadership to set real priorities, meet deadlines, and make the tough choices that we expect for $100 a year.